Olympic Judo Controversies in Paris 2024

Tajikistani judoka Nurali Emomali created controversy at the 2024 Paris Olympics by refusing to shake hands with Israeli competitor Baruch Shmailov after defeating him, allegedly shouting 'Allah Akbar'. Emomali's sportsmanship drew criticism, and he faced immediate 'karma' by sustaining a dislocated shoulder in his next match against Japan's Hifumi Abe, forcing his withdrawal from the tournament. Abe went on to win the gold medal in the event. Similarly, Moroccan judoka Abderrahmane Boushita also refused to shake Shmailov's hand after his match. In another notable event, Uta Abe, a defending gold medalist, was eliminated early, ending her five-year unbeaten streak and breaking down in tears. Meanwhile, Japanese judoka Ryuju Nagayama protested a controversial decision in his match but eventually claimed a bronze medal.